Human trafficking arrest in Laurel

By
Washington Post editors

For the second time this week, police have arrested a man at a motel in Laurel who's accused of kidnapping a young woman and forcing her into prostitution.

Anne Arundel County police say 23-year-old Gabriel Dreke-Hernandez of Hyattsville was arrested Wednesday night. Officers found the 19-year-old victim, who told police that Dreke-Hernandez had kidnapped her from a party in Prince George's County and forced her into prostitution. She says he assaulted and threatened her.

Police say there's no evidence that the woman had worked as a prostitute before her encounter with the suspect.

Police also found a 16-year-old girl at the motel who had been advertised on the Internet as a prostitute. Dreke-Hernandez is charged with human trafficking and related counts and could face additional charges.